Aintree Grand National Festival Day 2 tips (Friday 10th April 2026)

Apr 9, 2026 - 17:30

Day 2 of the Aintree Festival 2026 looks like one of the strongest betting days of the week and there’s plenty to get stuck into on Friday.

With competitive fields and a good mix of Grade 1s and handicaps, it’s the sort of card where having a strong view can really pay off.

The Mildmay Novices’ Chase is the headline act, but there’s depth right through the card and it’s often a day where Cheltenham form holds up well.

If you can find the right angles, there should be some solid opportunities on offer. Here are my Aintree Festival 2026 Day 2 tips and best bets.

Top horse racing offer for the Grand National

Aintree Grand National Festival Day 2 Racing (Friday) tips

1.45 Emid’io Pepe – 8/1 each way with SkyBet
2.20 Gold Dancer – 4/1 each way wih Star Sports
2.55 Baron Noir – 4/1 with 7bet NEXT BEST
3.30 Grey Dawning – 51/20 with SBK NAP
4.05 Booster Bob – 16/1 each way with Star Sports
4.40 Dalston Lad – 15/2 each way with 7bet
5.15 The Mighty Celt – 14/1 each way with QuinnBet

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Aintree’s Grand National Festival Day 2 (Friday 10th April 2026)

Find my top tips for Friday 10th April 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Aintree 1.45 William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m4f

8 of the last 11 winners were aged between 5 and 7
2 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 4/11 top 3 in the betting
10 of the last 11 winners carried 11 stone 4lb or less
9 of the last 11 winners were rated between 128 and 137

A full field of twenty-two runners are set to head to post for the opener on Day 2 of the Aintree Festival. Not easy from a betting perspective but one that fits the trends is French recruit EMID’IO PEPE for Dan Skelton.

This 5yo has a nice racing weight and he arrives in winning form having struck at Pau when last seen. He could be suited by this track and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him attract support.

Obviously plenty of dangers and one I could see running well is Top Jimmy for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies. This horse fell behind Mondo Man at Sandown but had been in good form and if bouncing back could have more to offer. Wellington Arch and Joyeuse complete the shortlist.

Bet on EMID’IO PEPE Each Way at 8/1 with SkyBet

Aintree 2.20 William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m210y

9 of the last 11 winners were aged either 6 or 7
7 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 11/11 top 3 in the betting
11 of the last 11 winners won or placed on their last run before
10 of the last 11 winners were rated 153 or higher

Paul Nicholls won this last year with Caldwell Potter and they are well represented again in the shape of Regent’s Stroll. He will probably go off favourite but I can’t help but feel GOLD DANCER is better value.

He is the sole representative of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend rides. He is lightly raced for his age and was last seen chasing home the ultra progressive Meetmebythesea at the Cheltenham Festival. He is in great form and another big run beckons here.

Miami Magic has won 2 of his last 3 and was impressive at Newbury last time. This is tougher but he is going the right way over fences and must be feared. Jordans Cross has a bit to prove but on his best is another one who could get competitive in a decent renewal.

Bet on GOLD DANCER Each Way at 4/1 with Star Sports

Aintree 2.55 ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m103y

10 of the last 11 winners were aged 5 or 6
4 of the last 11 winners were favourites and 7/11 top 3 in the betting
6 of the last 11 winners won or placed on their last run before
8 of the last 11 winners had a rating of 141 or higher

I know Sober Glory ran a huge race in the Supreme last month and he is clearly a talented horse but at cramped odds on ground probably quicker than ideal he might just be opposable.

BARON NOIR was behind him at Cheltenham but was keen throughout and was given too much to do as a result of trying to settle him. He is still open to improvement and this track could suit better so if he settles he looks good value to reverse that form.

Sinnatra was fifth behind Wilful in the County and that was a good run in defeat so he looks best of the rest but a bit to find with the market principals. La Conquiere seems to have completely lost her way but it is still early days and she isn’t one to give up on completely either.

Bet on BARON NOIR to Win at 4/1 with 7bet

Aintree 3.30 JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m3f200y

10 of the last 11 winners were aged between 7 and 9
6 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 10/11 top 3 in the betting
1 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
10 of the last 11 winners were rated 161 or higher

I know Heart Wood was mightily impressive winning the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month but my worry is that sort of performance would have taken a lot out of him. Of those that won last time out just 1 of the last 11 have won in this race too and that looks a damning statistic.

I prefer GREY DAWNING who brings Gold Cup form to the table and ran well at this track last year beaten just three lengths by Gaelic Warrior in the Bowl. The drop back in trip looks a good move and I’d be confident of him coming out on top here as he brings a lot of class to the table.

Heart Wood is still the danger given what he achieved last time out and of the rest Gidleigh Park is noted as he was far from at his best when pulled up at Ascot. His form beating Caldwell Potter and then bumping into the likes of Impaire Et Passe and Jango Baie would see him competitive at least.

Bet on GREY DAWNING to Win at 51/20 with SBK

Aintree 4.05 Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m5f19y

9 of the last 11 winners were aged between 7 and 10
0 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites and just 4/11 top 3 in the betting
8 of the last 11 winners carried 11 stone 2lb or less
8 of the last 11 winners were rated between 136 and 152

I always love the Topham both from a visual and punting perspective! What is notable is how bad a record favourites have in the race so as impressive as Madara was at Cheltenham I’m keen to look away from the top of the market here.

At a double-figure price BOOSTER BOB is one to give another chance to. He moved quite well through the race in the Plate before falling at the last. I think this Flatter track will suit him much better and as long as his confidence hasn’t been knocked and his jumping holds up he is definitely handicapped to have a big say.

Gentleman De Mer isn’t getting any younger but experience can count for plenty and he is definitely in with a chance having won this contest 12 months ago at a big price. Will The Wise is another one that catches my eye after bumping into Madara last month.

Conor Stone-Walsh is really good value for his 3lb claim and he should run a nice race. Plenty more complete the shortlist including Boombawn and Croke Park.

Bet on BOOSTER BOB Each Way at 16/1 with Star Sports

Aintree 4.40 Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m149y

11 of the last 11 winners were aged either 6 or 7
2 of the last 11 winners were favourites and 6/11 top 3 in the betting
4 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
8 of the last 11 winners were rated 135 or higher

Johnny’s Jury is the starting point here given how impressive he was in the Albert Bartlett last month but he looked all about stamina that day and this flatter track might just catch him out. If you couple that with the fact favourites have a terrible record in this race he might just be opposable.

DALSTON LAD looks a good bit of each way value as he skipped Cheltenham and arrives here full of confidence having won his last three in a row. I know they have always thought a lot of him and he is improving with every race. He still has more to come off this mark and is worth keeping on side.

No Drama This End completely bombed out at Cheltenham but obviously looked hugely promising prior to that blip so isn’t one to give up on.

Mondoui’boy was fourth behind Johnny’s Jury at the Cheltenham Festival but is another one with potential to do better and could be better suited by this track as well.

Bet on DALSTON LAD Each Way at 15/2 with 7bet

Aintree 5.15 Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys/ Amateur Riders) 2m103y

8 of the last 11 winners were aged between 5 and 7
0 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 0/11 top 3 in the betting
9 of the last 11 winners carried 11 stone 2lb or less
8 of the last 11 winners were rated between 122 and 137

A tricky race to conclude Day 2 and I have found it particularly hard as Harry Lowes is a horse I like a lot but given favourites have a horrendous record in this race I am looking away this time.

THE MIGHTY CELT represents the same yard and is a massive price. He fits a lot of the trends and was also a bit of an eye-catcher when sixth behind Saratoga in the Fred Winter. I think he was ridden with this race in mind and could be very well handicapped as a result.

Obviously plenty of dangers again and Sherminator could head them. He has won his last two and was impressive at Exeter and the form has been franked since.

Pourquoi Pas Papa is another one I could see running well under Olive Nicholls. He was fourth in the Fred Winter and also has solid form to his name so should run well.

Bet on THE MIGHTY CELT Each Way at 14/1 with QuinnBet

My top tip for Aintree’s Grand National Festival Day 2

I have opposed every favourite on the card so I’m hoping it pays!

BARON NOIR looks great value against Sober Glory in the novices hurdle and I have doubled him up with GREY DAWNING in the Melling Chase as I think the drop back in trip could suit him and that Gold Cup form looks red-hot.

Bet a Win Double on BARON NOIR and GREY DAWING at 14/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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